Djimon Hounsou, a seasoned actor known for his roles in films across the Marvel, DC, and Netflix universes, has openly discussed his financial struggles within Hollywood. Despite his extensive career, which includes two Oscar nominations for Best Supporting Actor for his performances in "In America" and "Blood Diamond," Hounsou revealed to CNN that he feels "definitely underpaid" and is "still struggling to make a living."
Hounsou's candid remarks resonate with his earlier statements to The Guardian in 2023, where he expressed feeling "cheated" both financially and in terms of workload compared to his peers. He highlighted the disparity by noting that some of his colleagues, who have fewer accolades, are financially better off.
As a black actor from Benin, Hounsou has also pointed to racism and xenophobia as factors impacting his career. He shared an experience where a studio expressed surprise at his continued presence in the industry post-"Amistad," indicating a narrow perception of his capabilities and longevity.
Despite these challenges, Hounsou remains active in the industry, with recent appearances in high-profile projects such as "A Quiet Place: Day One," the Netflix films "Rebel Moon," the video game adaptation "Gran Turismo," "The King's Man," "Shazam: Fury of the Gods," "Captain Marvel," and "Fast and Furious 7," among others.